Wjc Intends to Invite Jewish Community of Egypt to Affiliate

March 28, 1979

WINNIPEG (Mar. 27)

The World Jewish Congress intends to invite the Jewish community of Egypt to affiliate with it in the aftermath of the peace treaty signed by Israel and Egypt in Washington yesterday. This was revealed in remarks by WJC president Philip Klutznick prepared for delivery at a B’nai B’rith dinner here tonight honoring Sol Kanee, treasurer of the WJC. Kanee will receive the B’nai B’rith Humanitarian Award.

Klutznick noted in his prepared speech that Egypt would become the second North African country to be represented by delegates or observers at WJC meetings. The Moroccan Jewish community sent delegates to the last meeting of the organization’s General Council in Washington. Klutznick also proposes the establishment of a trilateral commission composed of the U.S. Egypt and Israel for the development of the Negev and Sinai, as one measure to translate words of peace into works of peace.”

He said, We are now going to find the transfer of increasing parts of the Sinai to Egypt, and Israel will be moving people and facilities into the Negev. “Klutznick noted that both regions are largely barren but both “have the potential to become centers of food production in a world that is increasingly hungry for food. There are reports that there is underground water, and even it if this is brackish, scientific advancement in the desalination of water means that the area could be made fertile to produce food crops,” he said.

The proposed trilateral commission should have a $100 million fund to which the U.S. would contribute half and Israel and Egypt one quarter each, Klutznick suggested. In addition, private capital should be invited at an appropriate time, be said.